Tips on what to disclose when taking out life insurance

Consumer journalist Wendy Knowler says many consumers have had problems when it comes to disclosing doctor visits and scans.

Are you thinking of taking out life cover?

Make sure you disclose all your information to the insurer so they may issue a payout when the time arrives.

In some cases, consumers have asked what material medical non-disclosure is.

Consumer journalist Wendy Knowler says it is when an insurer believes that the medical information which the person failed to disclose when they took out the policy was so serious that they would not have granted the policy at all had they known about it.

Knowler says if that is the case, the insurer can deny the claim outright and cancel the policy.

She further says there are four categories that consumers should pay attention to:

Medical information: What have you been diagnosed with? Have you been given the name of your sickness?

Wendy Knowler, Consumer Journalist

Symptoms: Have you experienced tingling, chest pains, headache, cough all the time, back pains? Be aware of what is going on your body.

Wendy Knowler, Consumer Journalist

Medicines: What medicines do you regularly take, prescriptions and over the counter, including illegal drugs.

Wendy Knowler, Consumer Journalist

Doctor visits and scans: Have you been to a hospital, have you done blood tests, scan and any medical tests.